LANCASHIRE County Council has said that its Welfare Rights Service has made thousands of people better off by making sure that they receive the benefits which they are entitled to.

The council has used more than £12m in unclaimed benefits to support residents with basic living costs like buying food and heating their home.

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During the 12 months from April 2014 to March 2015, the service dealt with over eleven thousand people with various needs.

During this financial year the service has already dealt with more than 2,500 people and taken nearly 8,000 telephone calls.

Service manager Joanne Barker said: “We provide free and confidential help and advice with benefit problems for Lancashire residents.

“We are dealing with some of our most vulnerable people, sometimes when they are going through an extremely worrying time due to losing their job or finding themselves unable to work due to serious illness.

“Many people have no idea what financial support they are entitled to, or have ever claimed a benefit before.

“It is rewarding to be able to help so many people and see the difference the extra money in their pockets makes to their lives”

For more information call 0300 1236739.